Water-jet propulsion means for boats



5. THEN WATER-JET PROPULSION MEANS FOR BOATS Sept. 1, 1964 4Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 9, 1962 INVENTOR. .SaP/l/A TA/'A/ A Tr m/E YBY fiww,

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Sept. 1, 1964 5. THEN WATER-JET PROPULSION MEANS FOR BOATS 4Sheets-Sheet 2 .Filed April 9, 1962 m mm Vfl 7 1 .r M a, W 0 S 5 mm M Af. 1 f b g 8 6 7 7 m 2/ l lk w 1% Sept. 1, 1964 5. THEN WATER-JETPROPULSION MEANSFOR BOATS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 9, 1962 INVENTOR.SAP/M4 7 /01! Sept. 1, 1964 5. THEN WATER-JET PROPULSION MEANS FOR BOATS4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 9, 1962 INVENTOR. SOP/m4 1 /54 UnitedStates Patent 3,146,587 WATER-JET PROPULSION MEANS FOR BOATS SophiaThen, 1637 Connie Ave., Madison Heights, Mich. Filed Apr. 9, 1962, Ser.No. 186,001 8 Claims. (Ci. 60-35.54)

This invention relates generally to propulsion means for boats, and moreparticularly, to a novel and improved water-jet propulsion means whichincorporates a novel compression chamber and which is adapted for use011 outboard motor boats or for use as inboard motors.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide a noveland improved water-jet propulsion apparatus which is adapted to bemounted on a vertical power input shaft and which includes a housing andin which is operatively mounted a novel propeller which draws water intoa compression chamber formed in the housing. The improved water-jetpropulsion apparatus is provided with the majority of the water by meansof a novel propeller that draws water through an opening in the lowerside of the housing, and also partially from two reverse water jetoutlets on the front side of the housing. The water which is forced intothe compression chamber in the housing is forced out of the housingthrough an outlet at the rear side of the housing. The propulsionapparatus or motor of the present invention comprises an outlet which isdivided by a horizontal wall so as to produce an upper and lower jetstream of water. The upper jet stream is produced mainly by internalpressure and impact. The lower jet stream is created mainly by internalpressure and by centrifugal force produced by the propeller and issupplemented by the aforementioned water entering the two reverse waterjet outlets on the front side of the housing. The water jet propulsionmotor outlet is provided with deflector means which control the two jetstreams so that the resultant combined thrust of these two jet streamsis directed in a straightforward direction in alignment with thedirection of the boats course.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel andimproved water-jet propulsion motor which is provided with outlets onthe front and rear sides thereof so as to provide rearward and forwardthrusts, respectively, on a boat, and to provide efiicient and precisebraking of the boat.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel andimproved water-jet propulsion motor which does not need any shiftinggears for providing forward and rearward movements to a boat on which itis mounted.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a noveland improved water-jet propulsion motor which is simple and compact inconstruction, economical of manufacture, easy to control and operate andefiicient in operation.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a noveland improved water-jet propulsion motor which may be mounted for use ona boat as either an outboard. type motor or as a built-in motor for useas an inboard motor and wherein the motor may be mounted on the samelevel with the lower surface of the bottom of a boat so that the boatmay safely cruise in shallow Waters, weeds, swamps and the like withoutinterfering with the operation of the motor so long as the boat isafloat.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a noveland improved water-jet propulsion motor which incorporates efiicientsteering characteristics and which can be landed on a beach because itdoes not protrude below the bottom of the boat, and which can safely beused to propel a boat between swimmers with no danger to them or to theboat because the entire operating mechanism of the motor is screened bya housing with no moving or protruding parts extending outside of thehousing.

3,146,587 Patented Sept. 1, 1964 Other objects, features and advantagesof this invention will be apparent from the following detaileddescription and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings forming a part of the specification wherein like referencenumerals designate corresponding parts of the several views.

In the drawings, FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a water-jet propulsionmotor made in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational sectional view of the structure illustrated inFIG. 1, taken along the line 2-2 thereof, looking in the direction ofthe arrows, and showing the lower side of the motor disposed on the samelevel with the bottom of a boat;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, elevational sectional view, with parts removedand parts broken away, of the structure illustrated in FIG. 1, takenalong the line 33 thereof, and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is an elevational sectional view of the structure illustrated inFIG. 1, taken along the line 4--4 thereof, and looking in the directionof the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away, of thestructure illustrated in FIG. 1, taken along the line 55 thereof, andlooking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 6 is a front end elevational view of the structure illustrated inFIG. 5, taken in the direction of the arrow marked 6;

FIG. 7 is a horizontal sectional view of the structure illustrated inFIG. 2, taken along the line 7-7 thereof, and looking in the directionof the arrows;

FIG. 8 is a horizontal sectional view, with parts broken away, of thestructure illustrated in FIG. 2ftaken along the line 8-8-thereof, andlooking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the propeller employed in the water-jetpropulsion motor of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the structure illustrated in FIG.9, taken along the line 10-40 thereof, and looking in the direction ofthe arrows;

FIG. 11 is a schematic two-plan lay-out of the propeller blade structureillustrated in FIG. 9, taken substantially along the arcuate line 1111thereof and looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the propeller illustrated in FIGS. 9,10 and 11.

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3,the numeral 10 generally indicates the drive shaft of the motor. Theshaft 10 may be powered by any suitable means as for example by atwo-cycle, aircooled internal combustion engine of the type used inconventional outboard motors, or it may be powered or driven by anyconventional inboard type engine. As best seen in FIG. 2, the motor ofthe present invention includes a circular mounting bracket 11 which isprovided with a centrally disposed upwardly extended hub 12. The hub 12is adapted to be fixedly connected to any suitable supportingmember on aboat or a boat engine as by means of the tubular shaft 13 which enclosesthe power shaft 10. The lower end of the tubular shaft 13 is adapted toreceive the circular hub 12 and to be fixedly connected thereto by anysuitable means, as by means of a plurality of bolts 14.

As best seen in FIGS. 1, 2, S and 6, the water-jet propulsion motor ofthe present invention further includes a housing which comprises theupper portion generally indicated by the numeral 15 and the lowerportion generally indicated by the numeral 16.

As shown in FIG. 1, the over-all plan shape of the housing issubstantially circular, with the rear end being opened to form adischarge or outlet opening as more fully described hereinafter. Fixedlysecured to the upper side of the upper housing portion 15 by anysuitable means as by welding are a number of radially spaced aparthousing bolts 17 which are disposed in a circle and adapted to bereceived in suitable holes in the circular mounting bracket 11. Thebracket 11 is releasably secured on the bolts 17 by suitable lock nuts18. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower end of the power shaft extendsdownwardly through the axial bore 19 in the hub 12 and is rotatablyjournalled therein by means of the sleeve bearing 20. As clearly shownin FIG. 2, the central portion of the upper wall of the housing portionis dished or formed with a concave depression as viewed from the upperside of the housing, and as indicated by the numeral 21.

As shown in FIG. 2 a circular hub 22 is integrally formed on the upperside of the dished housing portion 21 and this hub is provided with thestepped axial bore 23 in which is rotatably mounted the lower end of theshaft 10. The sleeve bearing extends downwardly into the upper end ofthe hub bore 23. The sleeve bearing 20 is further provided with anintegral sidewardly outwardly extended flange 24 which is disposedagainst the bottom surface of the mounting bracket 11 and against theupper end surface of the hub 22. A suitable packing or sealing material25 is mounted in the bore 23 below the lower end of the sleeve bearing20.

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 6, the housing portions 15 and 16 areprovided with the flanges 26 and 27 at the adjacent edges thereof andthese flanges are releasably connected together by means of a pluralityof lock bolts 28 which are adapted to pass through suitable holes in theflange 26 and be threadably engaged in the flange 27 on the lowerhousing portion 16.

As clearly seen in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, the outer sides of the housing, onthe front and two sides thereof, are rounded to form a chamber which hassubstantially hemispherically-shaped side walls. As shown in FIG. 2 acircular intake opening is formed in the bottom side of the housingportion 16. A cylindrical propeller compartment 29 is formed in theintake opening in the lower housing portion 16 and the vertical wallsthereof extend upwardly into the lower housing portion to a pointimmediately below the horizontal centerline of the housing and adjacentthe lower edge 30 of the upper housing portion 15.

As shown in FIG. 2, the power shaft 10 has a reduced diameter lower endportion indicated by the numeral 31, to be slidably mounted through thebore 32 in the propeller hub 33. The shaft lower end portion is threadedand the propeller is adapted to be fixedly secured on the threaded shaftend portion 31 by means of the lock nut 34. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,the propeller and the lock nut 34 holding the propeller on the shaftportion 31 is disposed slightly upwardly from the bottom edge 35 of thepropeller housing 29. In FIG. 2, the aft end or stern of a boat 36 isshown in broken lines and the boat is disposed relative to the motor toshow the positioning of the motor relative to the boat. It will be seenthat the lower edge 35 of the motor is on the same level as the loweredge 37 of the boat 36.

As shown in FIGS. 7 through 12, the propeller employed in the motor ofthe present invention includes a plurality of blades indicated by thenumerals 38, 39 and 40. As shown in FIG. 12, the leading edge 41 of theblade 39 is provided with a vertical edge disposed in a horizontal planeat the lowermost part of the propeller. The propeller blade leading edge41 extends outwardly radially from the propeller hub 33. The bladeextends upwardly in a concave curving form to an upper substantiallyhorizontal trailing portion 42 which is provided with the verticaltrailing edge 43. The trailing edge 43 of the propeller blade 39 isformed in the vertical plane and is disposed on a radial line extendingoutwardly from the axis of the drive shaft 10. All of the propellerblades are similarly formed. It will be seen from a study of FIGS. 9 and12 that the leading edge 41 of one of the blades is disposed beneath andin alignment with the trailing edge 43 of an adjacently disposedpropeller blade. In

FIG. 12, the leading and trailing edges of the three propeller blades38, 39 and 40 have been marked with sim ilar reference numerals. It willbe seen that the form of the propeller blades forces the water upwardlyinto the compression chamber formed by the housing portions 15 and 16.It will be seen from an inspection of FIGS. 2 and 3 that when a sectionview is taken through the propeller, the cross section will show thatthe cut through the propeller blade is always across a horizontalportion of the blades since the upper working surfaces of the bladesover which the water flows upwardly into the compression chamber isperpendicular to the propeller hub 33.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 7, the water pumped into the compressionchamber formed by the housing portions 15 and 16 is forced out of therear end of the housing to produce a water jet propulsion. The waterleaves the housing through an outlet formed to produce an upper andlower stream of water. The outlet for the two streams of water isindicated generally by the numeral 44 in FIG. 2. The outlet 44 isdivided by the horizontal wall or plate 45 which is fastened to theenlarged propeller housing wall portion 46 by any suitable means as bythe screws 47. As shown in FIG. 7, the plate 45 extends slightly aroundthe rear side of the propeller housing 29 and terminates along the lines48 and 49. The rear end of the outlet dividing plate is indicated by thenumeral 50. It will be seen that water forced into the compressioncompartment of the motor will be discharged over the plate or horizontalwall 45 and the upper jet stream passing over this plate is producedmainly by the internal pressure and impact of the water. As shown inFIGS. 2 and 8, water is also discharged through the outlet 44 by meansof a lower jet stream which passes outwardly from the compressionchamber through the outlet portion 51 which is disposed beneath theplate 45 and above the housing wall 52. It will be seen from a study ofFIG. 8 that water is dis charged through the lower outlet passage 51 ina counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 8. This lower stream isproduced mainly by internal pressure of the water in the compressionchamber and by centrifugal force produced by the propeller. It will beseen in FIG. 8 that a vertical wall 53 extends upwardly to the lowerside of the plate 45 to prevent the water from being forced out of thecompression chamber and under the plate 45 in a clockwise direction. Thehousing includes a vertical wall 54 below the plate 45 to direct thewater passing out of the curved lower passage 55 toward the rearwarddirection to provide a resultant straight ahead thrust. The wall 55functions as a deflector. As shown in FIG. 7, a deflector 56 is formedin the upper stream outlet passage for helping to direct the dischargingwater jet in a rearward direction to provide straight ahead resultantthrust action.

The propulsion motor of the present invention is provided with thefollowing described reversing structure. As shown in FIGS. 1 through 8,the motor is provided with the lower outer housing generally indicatedby the numeral 57 for directing the rearwardly discharging waterdownwardly and backwardly to provide a resultant backward thrust on theboat 36. The reverse flow housing is provided with the hemisphericallycurved wall 58 having the discharge opening 59 in alignment with theoutlet 44. Integrally formed with the rear end wall 58 are the sidewalls 60 and 61 which are substantially vertical and which extendstraight forwardly to the point where they engage the curved surface ofthe housing from whence they are curved to their rear end as shown inFIG. 5 by the numeral 62. As shown in FIG. 3, the reverse housing isconnected to the lower compression chamber housing 16 by means of thescrews 28. The Walls of the reverse housing are spaced apart from thewalls of the lower housing portion 16 and form a conduit for divertingthe fluid from the outlet 44 backwardly and out through the reversedischarge passages indicated by the numerals 63 and 64. The reversehousing 57 is provided with a lower wall 65 which is flat and formed asa plate and extends rearwardly to the point indicated by the numeral 66.The water discharging rearwardly out of the passages 63 and 64 will flowover the plate 65 in a flat stream line direction. The plate 65 isformed with an upwardly extended flange 67 which is seated against thelower edge of the propeller housing or compartment 29, as shown in FIGS.5, 6 and 2. The discharging water is directed backwardly through thepassages 63 and 64 by means of the swingably mounted, arcuately shapedgate generally indicated by the numeral 68. The gate is provided with apair of mounting arms 69 and 70. The gate is disposed inside of thereverse housing 57 below the housing 16. As shown in FIG. 4, themounting arms 69 and 70 are swingably mounted on suitable pins 71 and72, respectively, which are rotatably mounted in suitable holes as 73and 74, re spectively, in the housing walls 61 and 60. The bolts or pins70 and 71 extend outwardly through the housing walls 60 and 61. Fixedlyconnected to the bolt 71 is the regulating or operating handle 75 whichis adapted to open or close the opening 59 in the rear wall 58 of thereverse housing 57. It will be seen that the discharge passages 63 and64 communicate at the forward end thereof with the upwardly curvedentrance portion 76 in which the reverse gate 68 is normally positionedas shown in FIG. 2. The reverse gate 68 is shown in the reverse positionin FIG. and in the forward or head position as shown in FIG. 2. In FIG.5 the broken lines 77 and 78 indicate the neutral and forward positionsof the operating lever 75. The reverse position of the lever 75 is shownin solid lines in FIG. 5. The reverse housing 57 is provided with theclosure plates 81 and 82 as shown in FIG. 7. The lower housing 16 isprovided with the flow directional guides 79 and 80 on opposite sidesthereof adjacent the reverse discharge ports 63 and 64 and they functionto direct the discharge stream forwardly in a straight line to provide aresultant backward thrust.

A screen 83 may be mounted over the intake opening 84. It will be seenthat the water-jet propulsion means of the present invention is simplein construction and comprises generally a small number of parts, as forexample, the mounting bracket 11, the upper housing 15, the lowerhousing 16, the reverse housing 57 and plate 45, the reverse gate 68,the reverse controls (handle and pivoting bolts 75) and the propeller.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiment of the inventionherein disclosed is Well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated,it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible tomodification, variation and change without departing from the properscope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What I claim is:

1. A water-jet propulsion motor for propelling a boat, comprising:

(a) a housing having an upper portion detachably connected to a lowerportion,

(b) means on said housing lower portion for mounting said housing on aboat, 4

(c) a vertical power shaft rotatably mounted through said mounting meansand having the lower end extended downwardly through the housing upperportion and into said housing lower portion,

(d) said housing lower portion being provided with an intake opening onthe bottom side thereof and a propeller compartment including acylindrical vertical wall extending upwardly from said intake opening toa point adjacent the lower end of said upper portion,

(e) a propeller mounted on the lower end of said power shaft, withinsaid propeller compartment in the lower portion of the housing and abovesaid intake opening, and,

(f) a compression chamber formed by the upper portion of said housingand the communicating part of the housing lower portion around saidpropeller compartment and being provided with an outlet on the rear sidethereof for discharging water forced into the housing by the propellerin a water-jet stream to provide a resultant forward thrust.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1, wherein: said outlet dividedinto a lower part in the housing lower portion and an upper part in thehousing upper portion to form a lower and an upper discharging water-jetstream.

3. The structure as defined in claim 2, wherein: said motor includes areverse means for directing the water-jet streams forwardlyto produce aresultant rearward thrust.

4. The structure as defined in claim 3, wherein: said reverse meansincludes (a) a reverse housing mounted on the lower side of the lowerportion of said first named housing,

(b) said reverse housing being open at the front end thereof, and,

(c) a reverse gate means for reversing the discharging water-jet streamsinto the reverse housing.

5. The structure as defined in claim 4, wherein: said reverse gate isswingably mounted in said reverse housing, and, manual control means foroperating the reverse gate.

6. The structure as defined in claim 5, wherein: said upper housingportion is provided with a concave depression on the top side thereof.

7. The structure as defined in claim 6, including, a horizontal plate ismounted on the rear side of the propeller compartment adjacent the upperend thereof for dividing said outlet into said lower and upper parts.

8. The structure as defined in claim 7, wherein: said compressionchamber is circularly disposed around said propeller compartment.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,454,180 Motte May 8, 1923 3,035,409 Pifer May 22, 1962 3,046,735Burgin July 31, 1962 3,054,375 Neely Sept. 18, 1962 3,064,616 Dowty Nov.20, 1962

1. A WATER-JET PROPULSION MOTOR FOR PROPELLING A BOAT, COMPRISING: (A) AHOUSING HAVING AN UPPER PORTION DETACHABLY CONNECTED TO A LOWER PORTION,(B) MEANS ON SAID HOUSING LOWER PORTION FOR MOUNTING SAID HOUSING ON ABOAT, (C) A VERTICAL POWER SHAFT ROTATABLY MOUNTED THROUGH SAID MOUNTINGMEANS AND HAVING THE LOWER END EXTENDED DOWNWARDLY THROUGH THE HOUSINGUPPER PORTION AND INTO SAID HOUSING LOWER PORTION, (D) SAID HOUSINGLOWER PORTION BEING PROVIDED WITH AN INTAKE OPENING ON THE BOTTOM SIDETHEREOF AND A PROPELLER COMPARTMENT INCLUDING A CYLINDRICAL VERTICALWALL EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM SAID INTAKE OPENING TO A POINT ADJACENT THELOWER END OF SAID UPPER PORTION, (E) A PROPELLER MOUNTED ON THE LOWEREND OF SAID POWER SHAFT, WITHIN SAID PROPELLER COMPARTMENT IN THE LOWERPORTION OF THE HOUSING AND ABOVE SAID INTAKE OPENING, AND,